Homestead band closes season 11th in nation

The Spartan Alliance Band of Homestead High School capped its 2016 season by placing 11th in the Bands of America Grand National Championships, Nov. 9-12 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The two-day preliminary round of 100 bands from 20 states qualified 30 bands for the Saturday morning semi-finals. Thirteen bands then qualified for the Saturday evening finals. Four of the 14 Indiana bands that entered the preliminary round reached the finals. Carmel High School finished first, Avon High School placed second, and Castle placed 10th. Band director Steve Barber also led the Spartan Alliance to a BOA Super Regional, Nov. 4 and 5, also at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The 56 bands hailed from 10 states. Nine Indiana bands reached the 14-band finals. Homestead placed third overall, with Avon first and Carmel second. Homestead’s 2016 show was titled “A Time to Turn.”

“We’re proud of our 11th-place finish at Bands of America Finals,” Barber said. “This is the third consecutive year that we’ve made the finals, and fourth overall. As a matter of fact we’ve made the finals every time we’ve been there. Of course we’re proud of the students. I’m very grateful to the students and the staff, and I really have a deep appreciation for the parents and all that they do to make the season successful.”

Barber said band students are already practicing for pep band, which begins in December, and for ISSMA solo and ensemble contests in February.